I got my first sunburn of the year, so why even risk going outside again….

Where the Rock Splits the Sky by Philip WebbThe heat makes it feel like a post apocalyptic desert anyways… (review)

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

There’s no shame in starting your summer with a slightly-cliche-yet-still-entertaining tale about a case of mistaken identity starting up some real vacation drama.
(review)

Before Wings by Beth Goobie
Two years after surviving an aneurysm, Adrien still finds herself torn between the worlds of the living and the dead. Now spending the summer working at her aunt’s camp, she’s struck with visions on the lake that will both reveal secrets and help her find her place in life. (note- I may or may not have *taken this from the discard pile at the library, so it’s a little older.)

Sign of the Raven by Julie HearnThink sort of like Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children only there’s a gap for time travel in the basement. And a dying mother. And more British. And being saved by a smoothie. And…
(note- see earlier note about slightly older text)

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown
… because living in Missouri isn’t confusing enough. (Okay, but really. Harsh and emotional reminder to pay attention to those tornado sirens.)

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler
This was my #1 favorite book when I was little(r), and remains near the top even well past middle grade reading level. Who doesn’t daydream about learning they’re a mermaid?

***The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung RichmondSummer= late nights= sleep deprived brain going all over the place. What if I had superpowers? What if the Germans won WW2… (review)

Happy reading!
(and to my fellow fair skinned fellas, remember that there is no such thing as “too much” sunblock)

~Lexibex

*This was my senior year act of ****rebellion.
**Original title- The Churchill Club; Knud Pedersen and the Boys Who Challenged Hitler
***I swear it was an accident putting two Nazi centered books on this list, let alone right next to each other.
**** *****It’s just as lame in writing as it is in my head. Good to know.
***** Yes, this is a footnote about a footnote that was adding on to a footnote.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks Otherworldlies by Jennifer Anne Kogler

CHARACTERS WITH COOL POWERS

The Vendico by Wesley King Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Hourglass by Myra McEntire Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

ALIENS

Where the Rock Splits the Sky by Philip WebbI am Number Four by Pittacus Lore The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Shades of Earth by Beth Revis 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

WITCHES

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins Invisible World by Suzanne Weyn

Just for Fins is the third book in Tera Lynn Childs’ Fins series. It picks up shortly after Fins are Forever. This time, a new problem swims into Lily’s life. Neighboring kingdoms are experiencing the effects of global warming and are having trouble surviving. Lily decides that as Crown Princess of Thalassinia it is up to her to help. Then, out of what seems like nowhere, an ancient law makes itself known that might break up Lily and Quince for good.

I, for one, would have been perfectly satisfied if this series ended with Fins are Forever and was surprised to learn that there was a third installment. It really wasn’t necessary. If anything (it kills me to say this) it ruined the books. The first two were a sweet bundle of awesome but Just for Fins falls flat. Some details come out of nowhere- and not in a good way- and it felt like the book was trying too hard to be as good as the first two.

On a more uplifting side, there are some aspects that I truly enjoyed. Lily is a very clever character with many admirable personality traits including loyalty, fairness, and determination. She never gives up when trying to help the people and mer-folk she cares about. The underwater world that Childs created is what little girls dream about when pretending they are mermaids. I’m glad I got to experience it even if some bits of the conclusion didn’t fully live up to expectations. An okay book about mermaids is still better than Justin Bieber.

Liked Just for Fins? You might also enjoy…The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs